Founded in 1993 by brothers Tom and David Gardner, The Motley Fool helps millions of people attain financial freedom through our website, podcasts, books, newspaper column, radio show, and premium investing services.

On CAPS, 95% of the 545 members who have rated American Capital Agency believe the stock will outperform the S&P 500 going forward. These bulls include saraherik and sailrmac.

Earlier this year, saraherik tapped American Capital Agency as an outsized income opportunity: "Highly leveraged in government backed securities. I believe interest rates will remain low for the time being. ... [A]t near 20% dividend i am willing to take the risk for awhile."

In fact, American Capital Agency's current dividend yield of 19.5% is higher than that of rivals Annaly (14.4%), Anworth (14.3%), and Capstead (12.7%).

[American Capital Agency] buys agency mortgages sending you a dividend that equals the difference between the interest it pays on money borrowed and the interest it collects on the mortgages. Agency mortgages are guaranteed by the US government the same way treasuries are so, there is no default risk. Roughly half of AGNC's portfolio is adjustable rates and half fixed. The borrowings tend to be at shorter term rates whereas the mortgages they buy tend to be longer term. The majority of the profit therefore comes the same way a bank historically makes money, by the spread between short term borrowings and long term lendings.

Ever since the Lehman debacle the Fed has been very friendly to this model, trying to reflate banks. In an indirect way continuing housing woes actually help AGNC as it encourages the Fed to keep the spread large in order to shovel money to banks. Basically, through AGNC the FED is purposely trying to shovel money to me too.

What do you think about American Capital Agency, or any other stock for that matter? If you want to retire rich, you need to put together the best portfolio you can. Owning exceptional stocks is a surefire way to secure your financial future, and on Motley Fool CAPS, thousands of investors are working every day to find them. CAPS is 100% free, so get started!

Fool contributor Brian Pacampara owns no position in any of the companies mentioned. The Fool owns shares of Annaly. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days.